The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Egan, Tim

Serious Farm

32 pp. | Houghton | October, 2003 | Trade ISBN 0-618-22694-X $$15.00

(1) K-3 Edna the cow, tired of the lack of levity on the farm, wants to shake things up a bit: "We've got to get Farmer Fred to laugh. I mean, it's okay to be serious, but not all the time." Everyone agrees to try, cracking themselves up in the process. But not Farmer Fred. When the animals leave in disgust, Fred (who's serious, not heartless) lightens up...but just a bit. Egan's offbeat, understated humor is used to good effect in the highly amusing text and art.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2003